New Zealand tour of Pakistan may not take place, says CEO Vaughan

Wellington, Mar.4 (ANI): New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan has had a change of heart about the team touring Pakistan in the wake of Tuesdays terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers. According to stuff.co.nz, the New Zealand cricket board is yet to take a final decision on the proposed tour to Pakistan later this year, he said today, hours after telling Radio New Zealand that: “We are not going.” However, he said in a statement later that that following the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore yesterday, it appeared unlikely the end-of-year tour to Pakistan would proceed as planned. Masked gunmen opened fire on the team’’s bus in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, killing at least eight people and wounding six Sri Lanka team members and a team official. The players were heading to the Gaddafi stadium to play the third day of the second test against Pakistan. The tour was called off and the players were flown home. Six police officers and two civilians are reported to have died in the attack. “We will discuss the security issue with the Pakistan Cricket Board at the next ICC meeting, and we are likely to look at options such as the use of neutral venues. Player safety and security is of paramount importance. We will work closely with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association as we work through arrangements,” Vaughan said. “This was a very sad day for cricket and for Pakistan. Our thoughts go out to Sri Lankan and Pakistan Cricket, and to the families of those killed in the attack,” he added. (ANI)